Caterpillars

20 years ago

Okay, I KNOW most of you don't grow out side, but I do KNOW that a goodly portion of you place plants out for summer.

So, this is what I started out with...

Now this is visual interpretation... 'cause I'm gonna show you two different plants, same problem.

This is what bloomed out of all those buds that formed.

You can see the damage, the brownish markings, the buds un-opened. This is a type of insect laying eggs. Because the blooms are pink in color the frasse is ALSO pink in color, and the 'pillar is such that I've never seen before. Not nearly the length of an inch worm, which is usually my worm predator amoung the plants. Perhaps, the next umbel that forms, I will take a cutting and do my best to observe the whole cycle from 'pillar on.

So, Bayers Tree & Shrub, you think? Any other suggestions? I could do a full scale Imacloprod drench... I sure hate to do this. I have hummers visit my Aloes, my Hoyas, my Orchids. I have spiders that find the Hoya flowers and make their home there the full season. Crab spiders. I really, really hate this, but I'm NOT getting flowers on some that are So Hard to flower!

Suggestions are most welcome.

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Comments (5)

Cena
Original Author
20 years ago
Okay, so no one has 'pillars 'cept me...

One of the things that bugs me about this, kerrii and austrailus bloom just fine, no bugs, no nothin'!
mairzy_dotes
20 years ago
I have some little worms that get into my hibiscus blooms and cause them to abort before opening. They are green & tiny, but so far none have bothered the hoyas.
Marcy
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Cena
Original Author
20 years ago
Marcy, I've never seen any of these on any other plant in my backyard... (I've got a lot back there, hoyas aren't the only 'collection').

Heres the thing that gets me, its only the carnosas, the pink-on-pink flowers that get eatten. Krinkle 8, carnosa, and the Krimsons.
But NOT pubicalyx, kerrii, or austrailus!

For those requesting a closer look at those perfect flowers of H. austrailus ssp tenuipes
mairzy_dotes
20 years ago
Great shots Cena. I can smell them from here. Don't you just love those australis flowers. Mine is just COVERED with buds about to open, and it has climbed all the way up it's hangers into the palm tree. As soon as it does...I will take some pics too.
I can't figure out why the worms would only go for one type, unless it is a butterfly that preferred those flowers specifically & laid her eggs all over those particular plants.
Marcy
Cena
Original Author
20 years ago
Marcy, this is the first time the flowers formed low enough on the plant for me to smell them! This is one plant, when I found a spot it liked, I don't move. It made it through last winter just fine. I was astounded at how strong if a scent they have. Most hoyas I can barely smell (I have a defunct sniffer!)

For some reason this plant also gives me huge challenges getting good, in focus shots.

Undoubtedly it is a moth or butterfly doing this. The previous owners of this house used to be Chem-Lawn worshippers. I've been amazed this year just how many butterflys and moths I DO have this year! Of course, there are the two new passifloras, and their newly relocated denizens...

I may just start cutting the flowers off if I see signs of 'pillars, and leave the umbels behind. I don't know. It sure is frustrating though.

I have lots of hummers that visit the hoyas and the aloes, I really, REALLY don't want to start using systemics of the nuclear variety.